Local fishers speak out for the Fitzroy!

Posted on February 8, 2021

Local Kimberley recreational fishers share their connection to the Fitzroy River in a new series of compelling short videos. 

The videos show the special connection the Kimberley recreational fishing community have with the Fitzroy River, and why this iconic river needs protecting.

"The river is the heartbeat, it's the veins of the Kimberley. It's brilliant, nothing beats it,” says Mary island Fishing Club’s Sara Hennessy.

“The Fitzroy River is our lifestyle, it’s our mental health, it connects the community – in a small town like Derby where there’s not a lot to do, everyone loves coming to the river,” 

Hear more from Sara about how the Fitzroy enriches local's lifestyle, recreation and wellbeing.



In the second short video, well-known Kimberley fishing guide Robert ‘Bluey’ Vaughan heralds barramundi fishing on the Fitzroy as one of the greatest fishing experiences to be had in Australia, if not the world. Watch this new video.

“It’s pristine from its mouth to the end of its catchment – there’s no impediment to a barra to travel the length of the Fitzroy to be able to go down to the saltwater to breed. If you were to design the perfect barra river – it’s the Fitzroy”.

Irrigating interests want to take more water from the Fitzroy River than what all of the Perth and the South-West population use in a year. Not only would this damage the fantastic barramundi fishery, but there would be widespread impacts to local communities, endangered species and cultural heritage.

Right now, the WA Government is asking people to have their say on whether to open the Fitzroy River up to irrigation. We’ve put together a quick and easy way for you to tell them that you won’t accept the devastating risks of taking surface water from the National Heritage listed Fitzroy River. 

Please take the next step in support of protecting the Fitzroy River today. 

Related

Petition to protect the Martuwarra Fitzroy River signed by more than 27,000 Australians delivered to WA Parliament

Kimberley Traditional Owners and conservation groups have delivered a petition signed by 27,632 Australians calling for the Martuwarra Fitzroy River to be protected.

New Ministers join Fitzroy River Ministerial Council

The first few months of 2023 have been a tumultuous time for people in the Fitzroy Valley, with record floods in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River...

Severe Flooding in the Fitzroy Valley Causes Huge Damage and Loss for Communities

It has been an extremely challenging start to 2023 for communities along the Martuwarra Fitzroy River who are currently experiencing the worst floods in WA...

A look back at 2022 in the Kimberley

In 2022, thanks to your support, we made encouraging progress in our efforts to keep the Martuwarra free-flowing, but there is still work to be...

Want to help protect the Kimberley?