The City of East Fremantle has voted to ban shark fishing from the Swan River foreshore inside council boundaries, following the death of 16-year-old Stella Berry in a shark attack earlier this month.
Key factors:
- City of East Fremantle councillors have voted to ban shark fishing from the Swan River foreshore inside the city boundaries
- The transfer comes after 16-year-old Stella Berry was killed by a shark within the river earlier this month
- Photographs purporting to point out a big bull shark caught and launched within the river had been additionally an element within the resolution
The week of Stella’s demise, photographs emerged of a giant bull shark purportedly caught and launched from the river on the East Fremantle boat ramp simply days earlier than the assault.
“It is by no means been a difficulty for us within the city relating to the river, however in the previous couple of weeks it is change into obvious that we have to deal with it,” East Fremantle Mayor Jim O’Neill mentioned.
Stella’s demise was the primary deadly shark assault within the river in 100 years.
Perth man Cameron Wrathall was severely injured in an assault by a bull shark whereas swimming within the river within the suburb of Bicton in January 2021.
$500 superb for shark fishing
East Fremantle’s shark fishing ban follows related restrictions launched by the Metropolis of Fremantle on its seashores and on the mouth of the Swan River.
The Metropolis of Cockburn and the City of Cottesloe have additionally banned ocean-based shark fishing lately.
The East Fremantle restrictions might be marketed for six weeks earlier than they arrive into impact, after which fisherman caught flouting the regulation could be fined $500.
“I might hope that … the second it is enforced, or it is adopted, that would dissuade folks,” Mr O’Neill mentioned.
“I feel most individuals could be truthful and cheap to say, ‘Look, you understand, this is not a secure exercise’.”
Security entrance and centre
Mr O’Neill mentioned the brand new native regulation could be enforced by the town’s rangers, primarily based on suggestions offered by members of the general public.
“East Fremantle’s a small space, there’s most likely just a few locations you’ll be able to fish,” he mentioned.
“A type of was allegedly the place the younger teenager was fishing two weeks in the past.”
Following Stella’s demise, the state authorities has dedicated to constructing a shark enclosure at Bicton Baths within the adjoining Metropolis of Melville, and can lengthen funding for the limitations to rivers in addition to ocean seashores.
The Metropolis of Fremantle may even focus on the potential of constructing a brand new shark barrier at its February 22 council assembly.
Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge mentioned she by no means anticipated when she was elected to see two deadly shark assaults at Fremantle-area seashores.
Perth man Paul Millachip was killed in a deadly shark assault at North Fremantle’s Port Seashore in November 2021.
“Persons are feeling a bit nervous about going within the water,” Ms Fitzhardinge mentioned.
“There are some individuals who say, ‘I did not need to swim on the seashore and I used to swim within the river. Now, I do not really feel comfy going within the river both’.
“So it is one thing we need to take a look at.”
Councillors will vote at a gathering later this month on a suggestion to nominate a guide to determine potential areas for a protected swimming space.
