Recfishwest is launching a new safety initiative for recreational boat-based fishers targeting demersal fish species such as pink snapper and dhufish.  The Snag it? Tag it! campaign will raise awareness around the dangers of snagging on commercial rock lobster pot gear to deckhands operating the equipment.

As we head into summer weather and with the demersal fishing closure being lifted on December 16, recreational fishers will be heading out to their favourite fishing spots all along the West Australian coast to try their luck.

To help recreational and commercial fishers operate safely this summer, Recfishwest will introduce the new Snag it? Tag it! safety initiative.

It will allow recreational fishers who accidently snag a rock lobster pot, to attach a “danger tag” which alerts commercial fishers to the fact that there may be sinkers and hooks attached to the pot or rope.

This will mean that deckhands on commercial fishing vessels face less risk of injury when pulling in pots at high speed. Recreational fishers are being asked to attach the tags to the top of the rock lobster pot rope, above the float, so that they are clearly visible.

Recfishwest Chief Executive Officer Dr Andrew Rowland said the danger tags were an important safety initiative.

“We want to keep all water users safe and these danger tags will provide an early warning system for commercial rock lobster fishers pulling in their pots,” he said.

 “It also fosters co-operation between recreational and commercial fishers.”

The Western Rock Lobster Council has assisted in this initiative and will be educating commercial fishers to be on the look-out for the danger tags, so that they can operate winches at a safe speed.

Western Rock Lobster Council Chairman Basil Lenzo said: “It’s very important that recreational fishers work together with commercial fishers so that the safety of everyone on the water is ensured.

“We are very happy to be involved with Recfishwest in this new initiative.”

The danger tags will be available at metropolitan tackle stores.  Recfishwest will also hand them out at boat ramps in the first week of the demersal closure lifting.