Kalbarri Sports Fishing Classic cancelled due to demersal fish ban with economy losing more than $100k

A fishing club in Kalbarri is devastated they’ve forced an annual fishing competition to end, claiming the demersal fishing ban is putting pressure on local businesses and impacting the tourism town. The Kalbarri Sports Fishing Classic was cancelled in it’s 38th annual event last week due to the demersal scalefish ban, while the organiser is considering the longevity of the local fishing club. Kalbarri Offshore and Angling Club president Cheryl Eley said she was extremely disappointed to cancel the event and it had “certainly” impacted local businesses. “Economically in these small towns, they’re killing us,” she said. “That particular weekend would have had 50 boats, 200 competitors and their families visit. It’s a huge influx of people in town.” Ms Eley said the club were shaking their head and trying to work out what they can do for future events, but nothing would be decided until the annual general meeting in May. “It is in discussion with the club because there’s a lot of history we don’t want to lose,” she said. She said the classic was held at a time when the town was quiet, and changing the dates would put pressure on businesses as well as disrupt other club’s competitions across the region. “We held it at a time when we needed a boost and the tourism. Every other time of the year Kalbarri is busy and we’re putting more pressure on businesses that are still recovering from Seroja,” she said. “We don’t want to clash with other clubs who have their competition at the same time.” Ms Eley estimated businesses around town lost over $100,000 usually driven into the economy during the three-day fishing competition. “The ban itself doesn’t make sense to us, we’ve got a fish ban that’s relevant here and Augusta, it’s lazy politics,” she said. “Our breed of snapper is the same as Carnarvon, not what you get down south.” “At this stage we’re struggling to find a solution.” Kalbarri Sports and Dive owner Dean Robins said their business was feeling the pinch as people bypassed Kalbarri to visit a destination where demersal fishing restrictions don’t apply. He said the business also missed out with the cancelled classic as they usually earned money helping out the fisheries.