Recfishwest (RFW) is the peak body representing the interests of 750,000 recreational fishers in Western Australia and has a long-standing service level agreement with the WA Government. It is a not-for-profit organisation which strives to ensure high-quality recreational fishing experiences are maintained and enjoyed, as an integral part of the WA lifestyle.

 

A recent economic study detailed the economic spend by recreational fishers on fishing related activities such as fishing trips and travel, fishing gear and boat fishing costs injects $2.4 billion into the State’s economy each year.

 

RFW delivers research, policy, safety, communications and large-scale projects in conjunction with its partners to enhance and develop abundant, sustainable fisheries and promote and protect community fishing experiences.

Stripping away all the management-speak, the result should be more fish to catch, and that’s seems to be the case.

 

One way it does this is through creating artificial reefs offshore - seven so far with a further 10 in development, as well as restocking fish in inland rivers, and marron in reservoirs and dams.  In one project, there were over 100 fish species found on an artificial reef two years after it was established.  What isn’t there to love about this mob!

 

And RFW is also big on safety, running awareness campaigns for surf and rock fishers, and installing devices in popular coastal fishing areas, such as Angel Rings like this: