Having lived and fished in Perth for over 20 yrs I remember when it was just a matter of spending a few hours on the water to catch good quality fish .The last 3 yrs I have ventured more than 50kms out to sea on many occasions, only to come back empty handed .We have had 1 fatality and many sightings of large sharks very close to metro beaches lately, while some experts might think this is normal I am begining to wonder if this is because we have over fished our section of coastline and they are coming closer to shore in search of food.
Should we remove the ones that kill or continue to threaten us or what?
Personally I think we are killing off too much of our sea life and more needs to be done to reduce fish bag limits and higher fines imposed on those that break them.

What do you think?





(My condolences to the family that lost their loved one last week )

It was pointed out to me last night that the fish stocks are getting low due to the increasing numbers of dolphins. I am not quite sure about this though, because there have also been an increasing amount of fishermen both amateur and professional.





My condolences to the Guest family and friends.

Dont forget that WE , thats you, are catching all the sharks as well. I can recall as kid seeing big schools of sharks in Warnbro sound. .

Good point shark , and they all have the latest GPS, plotters, and sounders that make it easy (or used too) to catch fish . I know of many fisho's who catch their bag limit one day ,the keep going out day after day and doing the same.
this to me is raping the sea !! LEAVE SOME FOR OUR KIDS !!

Hey shark dont get me started on water restrictions, I live amongst alot of RICH retired fossils , and they think the restrictions dont apply to them .. That p,,,,ses me of .I supose alot of them think that way about our depleted fish stocks too................................................. I think i'd better just relax a little, mmmm this bourban is gooooood!!!!

We used to see sharks all the time at the Abrolhos and in Geraldton when I was younger...there were attacks in both places even though there is an abundance of fish. I now live in Victoria nd there are heaps of big whites around few fish and hardly ever attacks......hmmmmmmmm...I am a bit sceptical of Sharks moving to peole becuase there are no fish....the ones that go people tend to feed on seals and penguines.....great whites are alos garbage gut's literally they have been found with rego plates, gum boots all sorts of stuff in thier guts and will generally have a bit of anything that may or may not resemble a feed.

cranky said...

This shows how unbalanced the media is, this should have attracted more airtime .

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=115936

Interesting read Cranky, I'm with you re air time.

Y'know sharks in the ocean..........
Funny that.

I'd be more scared of hoons in Kwinana

Hey fish,

A few answers and background for you.

In previous years a dedicated shark patrol aeroplane was used, flown by junior pilots. Surf Lifesavers were told that they saw very few sharks especially given the height and speed flown and the poor visibility in a Cessna.

This year Westpac extended their long standing sponsorship of Surf Life Saving, and with the WA govt, funded a WA Surf Rescue Helicopter. Initially it was funded to only fly on weekends and public holidays and as the name suggests and is emblazoned all over it, it is primarily for rescue and co-ord of Surf lifesavers to add to their efforts on the ground and in the swim. Of course while the chopper is buzzing up and down the coast of Perth it can also spot sharks.

The unfortunate life lost a few weeks ago and the ensuing media spotlight on Sharks forced the govt to further fund the chopper so that it can fly 3 hours every day. Now of course it has become known as the 'Shark Patrol' chopper.

Let me state that it is primary job is not to spot sharks, rather this is just one of the many tasks that the chopper undertakes.

Now you only get what you pay for and anyone who thinks that a Cessna can do the job a helicopter can do has no idea. Try hovering in a Cessna, let alone flying slow enough or be able to turn around quick enough.

Hope this helps everyones understanding. How do I know all this? I fly the Surf Rescue chopper.

aladinsane said...

I fly the Surf Rescue chopper.

And a job well done
Are you able to take passangers?

Well yes, while I dont participate in either wind or kite surfing I have flown a certain well known windsurfer-now-photographer who has mentioned it would do harm by carving up a few 'teabags'. Especially at Lano.