Fishing

Fishing is possible along this section of coastline although fishing is generally better in the deeper waters offshore. You can launch boats from the beach at Bush Bay or the boat ramp at Gladstone.

There are special zoning restrictions along this section of coastline:

• Gladstone Special Protection Zone restrictions help conserve the local population of dugongs which visit the area to breed during summer:
  Waters south of the Gladstone boat ramp are closed to boating from 1 September to 15 January.
  Waters north of the ramp are closed between 1 December and 31 March.
• Disappointment Reach Special Protection Zone north of Gladstone is closed to fishing all year as a benchmark for monitoring the health of marine ecosystems. It is also important dugong habitat.
• The Wooramel Special Purpose Zone recognises the significance of the Wooramel seagrass bank in the Shark Bay ecosystem. Take care not to disturb turtles, dugongs and seagrasses.

See the zoning maps in the Shark Bay Marine Reserves brochure for details.

Fishing regulations are also in place. Visit the Fisheries website for more information.