- Cook Government expands fleet to support fisheries research and management
- Tenders awarded to build new fisheries research and patrol vessels for State's north
- Local manufacturing supporting WA jobs and boosting the economy
Western Australia's fisheries fleet will be strengthened with two new vessels under construction to support science and surveillance in the State's north.
The Cook Government has invested almost $2 million for the two new vessels to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources in the Buccaneer Archipelago Marine Parks.
Henderson business Shoreline Marine Fabrication has been awarded the tender to build a new 8.5-metre vessel to enhance scientific research and capability in the Kimberley.
The new shallow draft vessel will be designed to safely navigate Kimberley waters and is the first small research vessel to be permanently based in Broome.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) fisheries scientists, in collaboration with Traditional Owner groups, will use the vessel for research activities within the Buccaneer Archipelago Marine Parks including stock assessments and underwater surveys.
A new nine-metre amphibious vessel will also be stationed in Broome to strengthen compliance efforts across northern marine parks. The amphibious vessel can be driven on land making it easier to launch in remote locations with tidal variations and limited ramp infrastructure.
The new vessels build on the Cook Government's investment in DPIRD's fleet of research and patrol vessels and support for local boat manufacturing.
Geraldton-based boat builder Dongara Marine is currently building a new $13.7 million DPIRD patrol vessel to replace the ageing patrol vessel Walcott and completed the $3.2 million research vessel Djildjit in January 2024.
DPIRD's fleet plays an important role in the State's marine park management including compliance activities, shark incident response, marine safety, sea search and rescue, whale disentanglement and supporting the Australian Government with illegal foreign fishing.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"Western Australia's coastline stretches more than 12,000 kilometres and a fit-for-purpose fleet of research and patrol vessels is essential to the sustainability of the WA fishing industry.
"The Cook Government is committed to making more things here and expanding local manufacturing as part of our Made in WA plan.
"That's why I'm pleasedlocal boat buildersShoreline Marine Fabrication in Henderson and Dongara Marine in Geraldton have been awarded tenders to manufacture new vessels that will bolster DPIRD's fleet.
"By supporting our local industry with these opportunities, we are backing WA businesses, continuing to diversify our economy and creating more local jobs."
