West Australian lobster fishers say large cargo ships are regularly destroying thousands of dollars worth of fishing gear, and they are calling for better understanding and respect from large ocean vessels for their $500 million industry.
Key points:
- Fishers say they are losing tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear due to it being run over by cargo ships
- The Western Rock Lobster Industry is asking ships to sail further out to sea
- Cargo ships and fishers are both permitted to use the ocean, but the lobster industry says more respect is needed
Lobster fisher Jay Barret works the ocean at Ledge Point, 120 kilometres north of Perth, in a highly trafficable area for cargo ships sailing to and from the Port of Fremantle.
Mr Barret has fished in this water for 25 years but said this season he had lost more fishing gear than ever due to it being “run over” by cargo…
