Have your say on sharks and cats

Proposed amendments to two City of Fremantle local laws are now out for public comment.

The first proposal is to amend the City’s Local Government Property Local Law 2002 to prohibit fishing for sharks, while the second proposal is to amend City’s Cat Management Local Law 2020 to declare all property owned and managed by the City of Fremantle a cat prohibited area.

The shark fishing proposal is a public safety measure in response to growing community concern about shark fishing at popular beaches, including the practice of putting blood and berley into the water to attract sharks to where people swim.

The proposed amendment would prohibit fishing for sharks by means of a fishing line that contains any metal wire or chain within one metre of any hook.

It would also prohibit fishing for sharks using blood or berley as a lure, and with the use of a spear gun or similar device. The penalty for undertaking illegal fishing activities would be $500.

The City’s existing cat management local law, which came into effect in June 2020, designates 12 areas within the City of Fremantle as cat prohibited areas, including parks, beaches, river reserves and golf courses.

The owner of a registered cat captured in one of the cat prohibited areas is subject to a $200 fine.

The proposed amendment would expand the cat prohibited areas to cover all property owned and managed by the City, including roads, verges, footpaths and car parks. It also includes provisions to deal with nuisance cats.

Both proposed amendments are open for public comment until 5pm on Monday 11 April.

At the end of the public consultation period City officers will review the submissions and prepare reports to the council for further consideration.

For more information and to have your say please visit mysay.fremantle.wa.gov.au.