Exmouth’s game fishing tournament a great catch, Catania
Author: Vincent Catania
Published on: 23-March-2011
Western Australia’s town of Exmouth is buzzing with fishing enthusiasts for the GAMEX 2011 fishing tournament.
Tourism Minister Kim Hames said GAMEX was the State’s most prestigious game fishing competition, enabling participants to fish alongside, and pit their skills against, some of the best anglers in Australia.
“GAMEX has been running for more than 30 years and its popularity continues to grow, with this year’s tournament featuring 84 boats and 315 competitors,” Dr Hames said.
“The competition promotes sustainable fishing practices and provides educational opportunities to assist anglers with their knowledge of fishing for enjoyment and future sustainability.
“The State Government, through Eventscorp’s Regional Events Scheme, is a proud supporter of GAMEX.”
GAMEX is held from March 19 until March 26 and the week was heralded by a concert featuring Slim Jim and the Phatts.
Exmouth also hosted the Australian International Billfish Tournament earlier this week, attracting 66 boats with about 230 anglers.
Local Member Vince Catania said “The GAMEX committee had worked incredibly hard to make sure this event was a success for locals and visitors alike. The professionalism and commitment shown by the Exmouth Game Fishing Club in running GAMEX ensures it is bigger and better each year.” All of the shore based events are being hosted at the new Clubhouse “The committee has worked tirelessly to make sure the clubhouse, a recipient of funding under the Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme, is ready and available to host the events. I am proud to see another Royalties for Regions funded project deliver for the Exmouth Community”.
The Minister said Exmouth was the ideal location for both competitions.
“As Tourism Minister and a patron of the Perth Game Fishing Club, I am very enthusiastic about both events and the fact that they are located in an extraordinary destination such as Exmouth,” he said.
“Exmouth is a game fishing hotspot, home to more than 40 diverse game fish, including six different species of billfish.
“It is also an extraordinary tourism destination enabling visitors to experience the Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park.
“The rugged national park offers spectacular gorges, canyons, wildlife and wildflowers, while Ningaloo Reef, one of the world’s biggest fringing reefs, is famous for its tropical fish, colourful coral and the world's biggest fish, the whale shark.”
In celebration of the yearly migration of the whale shark to the pristine waters of the
Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth is also gearing up for the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival, to be held from May 28-29.
